There’s nothing better than escaping the cold, dark days of winter for some seasonal sunshine, but where can you go that’s a little different and without the crowds? Our friends at Weather2Travel.com, a leading online resource for researching holiday weather, have shared their pick of alternative destinations around the globe for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere after some warming winter sun.

While many flock to Australia’s eastern cities and beaches, Western Australia is where it’s at for fine weather and adventure-seeking travellers.

There’s so much sunshine to be had – up to 11 hours each day – and temperatures are high at 28°C to 31°C on average. What more could you want for exploring the burgeoning city of Perth, or the many natural wonders, national parks, and huge sweeping beaches?

The Caribbean offers lots of tasty winter sun possibilities for various budgets. Weatherwise, St Vincent and the Grenadines is a wonderful option with an average of eight hours of sunshine each day and temperatures around 28°C. You might catch a shower but it'll soon roll by.

If money is no object, head for the private island of Mustique or make for the lush landscape and quiet beaches of Bequia; both sunshine rich destinations that are never too busy thanks to their remote locations and hefty price tags.

Thailand is an incredibly popular winter sun destination, but it's not all crowded: head to the country’s quieter islands, such as Ko Chang (home to the jungle of Mu Ko Chang National Park), Ko Mak or Ko Kood.

These easterly isles have up to nine hours of sunshine each day, temperatures in the low thirties, only the tiniest chance of encountering a passing shower, and invitingly warm water for snorkelling and water sports.

Looking for a palm tree-lined paradise? The Maldives, with its luxury hotels, warm shallow waters, and lashings of sunshine, ticks every box when it comes to a winter sun island getaway.

Days are long and hot with up to 10 hours of sunshine each (February being the sunniest), and an average daily temperature of around 30°C – good thing there’s plenty of ways to enjoy a cooling dip in this tropical playground.

For a two-in-one kind of trip, Kenya serves up both beach and safari destinations with wonderful winter sun weather. Choose from well-equipped resorts along the east coast in Malindi and on the isle of Lamu, where the sun shines for nine uninterrupted hours each day and the temperature hits a toasty 32°C.

As for spotting the big five, the Masai Mara Reserve is equally sunny, if a few degrees cooler at around 28°C, and there's a higher chance of seeing some rain thanks to its elevated location inland.

The iconic rolling red dunes that hem the Sossusvlei salt and clay pan are unmistakably Namibian. This western edge of the Namib Desert is, as you might expect, suitably arid and dry with up to 11 hours of sunshine each day and temperatures of around 30°C. 

Go for the some of the world’s largest sand dunes, but stay to explore the national park and relax by the pool in one of the area’s beautiful lodges. Head up to Etosha for some superb game viewing.

If big sky views, trekking, and wildlife spotting make your dream trip, then the striking Simien Mountains National Park in Ethiopia is where you need to be this winter. Along with dramatic landscapes and a thriving ecosystem, locals include ibex, wolves, baboons, and birds of prey.

This part of northern Ethiopia is quite dry in winter, seeing up to 10 hours sun each day, and good temperatures for hiking at around 18 to 20°C. Just remember your layers as the temperature drops after dusk.

The winter months are glorious in the Arabian Peninsula, and Salalah in the southwest of Oman is no exception. Quieter than Muscat, Salalah sees around 10 hours of sunshine each day and temperatures in the high-twenties (°C).

No need to worry about rainfall as there's virtually none at this time of year, and the sea is very inviting. Overall, it’s a beautiful time to explore this region of Oman, and great for dolphin-watching boat trips or bouncy dune drives.

The distinctive city of Quetzaltenango sits in the western highlands of Guatemala, and guarantees a different sort of winter sun break. Given its elevated position, conditions are fresh with up to eight hours of sunshine each day and a mild average max temperature of 18°C. 

There’s little rainfall, letting you explore the famed neoclassic architecture and nearby Santa Maria volcano free from waterproofs, although bring a jacket, as evenings are cool.

The warm turquoise sea of the Philippines is just one of many reasons this archipelago is a hit in winter. Add in the near eight hours of sunshine each day and high temperatures of 31°C, and it's easy to see why people fall in love with this island nation.

The scenic westerly island of Palawan is an easy sell: think white sandy beaches, coconut palms, water sports, and – once you’re there – budget-friendly ways to stay for a great value winter sun break. 

Chile is ideal for culture vultures and thrill-seekers. Days are long, bright and warm with up to 11 hours of sunshine and temperatures from the low to mid-twenties (°C).

From vibrant Santiago to breath-bating rafting in the likes of Pucon, and taking a once-in-a-lifetime trip to visit the UNESCO site at Rapa Nui National Park (Easter Island), Chile’s crammed full of fascinating experiences, all under ample sunshine in winter. 

You'll find long hot days await in cosmopolitan Buenos Aires in winter. Nine hours of sunshine and temperatures in the high-twenties create fabulous conditions for exploring the various museums, bars, and shops.

In the northern edge of Argentina's Patagonia region, high towns such as San Carlos de Bariloche offer a different kind of winter sun escape full of walking potential and incredible scenery with temperatures in the low-twenties and a whopping 11 hours of sunshine.

A firm favourite with sun seekers, the Canary Islands offer reliable warm and sunny weather in the deepest, darkest months of winter. Fuerteventura is the sunniest of the popular islands with seven hours of pure sunshine each day.

Meanwhile, laidback La Palma, with its hiking trails and sleepy villages, enjoys a shade less sunshine and cooler temperatures at around 16°C, and is free of the big resorts of some of its neighbours. 

If you're more beach bum than hillside hiker, coastal Mexico is for you. In the east, on the Caribbean side near Cancún, you'll find Puerto Morelos, where the sun shines up to seven hours each day in winter and the temperature sits in the high-twenties. 

Over on the Pacific coast, towns such as Huatulco are even drier, get a little more sunshine each day and tend to be a degree or two hotter. Do you go east or west? The decision is yours!

For a warm and sunny city break with plenty to see, do, and sample (think fresh seafood and fine wine), Cape Town is a real winner. The weather is fabulous in winter, which is, of course, the Southern Hemisphere’s summer (November to January).

With an average of 10 to 11 hours of sunshine each day and temperatures in the mid-twenties (°C), conditions remain very warm but comfortable. If you want to swim however, best find accommodation with a heated pool, as the sea temperature is chilly all year round.

And now for something entirely different... This is a bit of a rogue entry but you won't find anywhere bathed in more winter sunshine than the South Pole. With 24 hours of daylight, and up to 19 hours of sunshine each day, it is by far the sunniest place on Earth from December to February. 

There are a few drawbacks however; setting aside the expense and difficulty in reaching the Pole, there’s the lack of facilities and the fact that you can’t actually stay there. Plus, the average maximum temperature in December sits at around - 37°C, so, it’s certainly not for everyone! If you're determined, and happy to pay a pretty sum, then try one of the South Pole holidays offered by Discover the World.

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